The Town of Sunderland is located within Bennington County, in Vermont´s southwest corner. In recent years residents and visitors have branded this beautiful region nestled between the Taconic and Green Mountains as The Shires of Vermont. Located between Bennington, the South Shire, and Manchester, the North Shire, Sunderland is surrounded by mountains and enriched by the waters of the famous Batten Kill that runs through the valley. Sunderland and the towns around it have historically been a popular four season destination for those seeking an authentic Vermont experience. You’ll find canoeing, tubing, camping, mountain biking, hiking and skiing close by. All within a 4 hour drive from New York City, Hartford, Boston, Northern New Jersey and Canada.
Latest News and Announcements:
General Election – The general election will be held Tuesday, November 5th. Polling will take place at the Sunderland Municipal Building from 10 AM until 7 PM that day. The state of Vermont has issued absentee ballots to all voters who were actively registered as of early September. If you do not receive a ballot in the mail and would like one, please contact the Sunderland Town Clerk’s office at 802-375-6106. If you receive your ballot, but prefer to vote in person, please be sure to bring your mailed ballot with you as there are few replacement ballots available for in person voting. Click the following links to view the election warning and sample ballots for District 3 and District 4.
Property Taxes – The first installment is due Tuesday, October 15th by 5 PM. Payment must be received by the due date, postmarks are not accepted as timely payment. Payments may be mailed or made in person by check or cash. After hours check payments (do not leave cash) may be left in the drop box or mailbox. The office will be open Columbus/Indigenous People’s Day, Monday 10/14 from 9AM until 3PM.
Short Term Rental Ordinance – The Town of Sunderland Select Board approved an ordinance regarding short term rental properties at their September 23rd meeting. Review the ordinance HERE. The notice regarding the Short Term Rental Ordinance may be viewed HERE.
Public Hearing – The Bennington County Regional Commission is holding a public hearing on Thursday, October 24th at 4:00PM at the BCRC Conference Room and via Zoom. The hearing will include the proposed Bylaw Amendment for Intermunicipal Agreements, Bennington Regional Plan and Shaftsbury Enhanced Energy Plan. View the agenda here.
Lost and Found – A Subaru car key was found in June near the Town Garage on Sunderland Hill Road. Please call the Town Office at 802-375-6106 to identify.
Household Hazardous Waste – The new permanent household hazardous waste facility in Bennington opened for the season in May and will close for the season in October. Visit https://bcswa.org/hazardous-waste/household-hazardous-waste-appointment/ or call 802 442-0713 ext. 2 for an appointment. View the flyer for more information.
Burn Permits – Burn permits are required prior to burning without adequate snow cover. During dry conditions the State of Vermont may issue a red flag warning, which bans outside burning. Click here to access the State fire danger page. Contact the Sunderland Fire Warden at 802-375-2865 for a permit or more information.
Town Office Update – The office is open for in person service Monday through Thursday from 9:00 AM until 3:00 PM. No appointments are necessary. The office personnel are also available to assist you via telephone and email during those hours. Please call 802-375-6106 or email town@sunderlandvt.org or assistant@sunderlandvt.org with your requests and questions. The office is closed on all State and Federal holidays. Please note the office is undergoing a telephone system upgrade. The voicemail option is still a work in progress. If you do not receive a call back, please call again during business hours.
Town Meeting 2024 Results and Annual Report – The annual Town Floor Meeting was held Monday, March 4th, 2024 at the Sunderland Elementary School for discussion and floor voting of public questions. All Articles presented at the floor meeting were approved. Australian ballot voting took place on Tuesday, March 5th, 2024 at the Sunderland Town Office Building. The results of the Town Ballot Articles and Elections may be found here and the Presidential Primary results by clicking here. Click here to view the combined minutes and results of the meeting. The 2023 Annual Report is still available. Copies may be picked up at the Sunderland Town Clerk’s office during regular office hours or call the office at 802-375-6106 to request a copy by mail. View a copy of the current report at this link: Sunderland Town Report for Year Ending June 30 2023.
Co-Existing with Bears – Please read the following updated information from Vermont Fish and Wildlife for tips on how to stay safe and successfully co-exist with the bears in your neighborhood: Bear coexistence PSA.
New Contractor Rules – Vermont statute now requires contractors that perform residential construction valued at $10,000 or more to register with the Vermont Secretary of State Office of Professional Regulation. The one year grace period for residential contractors to register with the State ends March 31st, 2024. Consumers should be looking to verify registration before making contractual agreements. Click on this link to learn more: https://sos.vermont.gov/
Fluorescent Lightbulb Ban – Mercury containing lightbulbs were banned from sale in Vermont starting February 2023 for screw based bulbs and in January 2024 for 4 foot fluorescent tube bulbs. Please view the fact sheet for more information and purchase and recycling options.
WIFI Hot spot available at the Sunderland Town Office – Thanks to a generous donation from Microsoft and RTO Wireless, commercial grade WIFI Hotspot equipment was installed at the Sunderland Town Office Building. Microsoft/RTO reached out to the Vermont Public Service Department with an offer to provide and install public WIFI hotspots in rural locations in Vermont at no cost. Residents may access the internet for telehealth, remote learning and more from their vehicle while in the Town Office parking lot. More information about the program can be found in Governor Scott’s press release. Free WiFi is also available inside the Sunderland Town Hall, along with a computer that can be used during normal office hours.
Emergency Preparedness – To help Vermonters be prepared for an emergency situation, the Green Mountain Guide for Emergency Planning is a valuable organizational tool.
Emerald Ash Borer – The VT Urban & Community Forestry Program within the VT Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation has announced the emerald ash borer (EAB), has been confirmed in both Richmond and Shaftsbury, resulting in two new infestations. The vast majority of the Town of Sunderland is now either within the “High Risk Area” (10-mile radius from a known infested site) or the “confirmed Infested Area” (a 5-mile radius from a known infested site). You can view the most up to date map here. The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is an invasive insect that attacks and kills 99% of all 3 species of ash trees found in Vermont. The larvae (the immature stage) feed on the inner bark of ash trees, disrupting the tree’s ability to transport water and nutrients. EAB has killed hundreds of millions of ash trees in North America since it was discovered in 2002. The first EAB infestation was confirmed in Vermont in 2018 and is now in 10 VT counties. For information and resources please visit the VTInvasives.org EAB page.
Front Porch Forum (local electronic forum where we post town information) Join at http://frontporchforum.com
Declaration of Inclusion – At their March 13th, 2023 meeting, the Sunderland Selectboard adopted the following statement: The Town of Sunderland condemns racism and welcomes all persons, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, age, disability, or socioeconomic status, and wants everyone to feel safe and welcome in our community. As a town, we formally condemn all discrimination in all of its forms, commit to fair and equal treatment of everyone in our community, and will strive to ensure all of our actions, policies, and operating procedures reflect this commitment. The Town of Sunderland has and will continue to be a place where individuals can live freely and express their opinions.
